Saxophone, clarinet, or other wind instrument



Feb. 25, 1930. P. J. PACKMAN ET AL 1,748,077

SAXOPHONE, CLARINET, OR OTHER WIND INSTRUMENT Filed July 17. 1926 Fig. 7.

Inventors Patented Feb. 25, 1930 Pei-TEE PERCIVAL JAMES PACKIVIAN, 0F HIGHB'UEY, LQNDGL AND STANLEY VEIATN GEORGE OF EAST CROYDON, ENGLAND; SAID GEORGE ASSIGNOE TO SAID PACKMAN SAXOPHONE, CLARINET, OTHER "WIND INSTRUMENT Application filed July 17, 1926, Serial No. 128,172, and in Great Britain February 22, 1926.

This invention relates to saxophones, clarinets and other wind instruments in which reeds are used, and the invention has among its objects readily and exactly to adjust the reed as may be required to ensure perfect tone and pitch and easy production, and readily to clean and to re-adjust the reed.

in such instruments the reeds have hitherto been secured in position by means of a ligature or clamp which neither permits of the ready or exact adjustment of the reed, nor its ready cleaning and readjustment, and the invention has among its objects to avoid these disadvantages.

According to the invention the reed, instead of being directly mounted upon the lower face of the mouth piece, is set upon a mounting plate which is adapted to be moved for the purpose of varying the inclination of the reed with respect to the mouth piece and thus of permitting the adjustment of the angle between the lip of the reed and the lay or lip of the mouth piece.

According to the invention, moreover, the mounting plate is pivotally carried upon the mouth piece and means are provided by which the angle of the mounting plate may be readily and precisely adjusted and thus the angle of the lip of the reed with reference to the lay or lip of the mouth piece.

According to the invention, moreover, the mounting plate is adapted to extend over or into a position adjacent the orifice formed at the lower and front part of the mouth piece, and to be hinged, as for example to the side walls of the mouth piece in opposite positions, and the lower face of the mouth piece may be recessed for the accommodation of the mounting plate so that the lower face of the mounting plate may, in one position, be disposed substantially or approximately in the plane on which the reed is laid in mouth pieces as usually provided. Thus the front part of the mounting plate may be bifurcated where an opening may be formed of a shape corresponding to that of the rear part of the orifice at the lower and front part of the mouth piece. t will be understood 1 that the bifurcation is not essential and that mounting plate may be left with edge inf-cred and square across the orifice. According to the invention, moreover, the -eans for angular adjustment of the mountng plate may be disposed on one or on both ides of the mouth piece and means may also e provided by which the reed may be adusted longitudinally on the mounting plate. he invention comprises the features here- "ter described. the accompanving drawings are illustrated examples of one application of the inventi on.

Figure 1 is underside plan view of a saxophone mouth piece with a reed mounting according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation corresponding to Figure l.

*igure 3 is a side elevation of the mouth piece shown in Figure 1.

ig re 4 is a longitudinal section of the uth piece shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an underside plan view of a clarinet mouth piece with a reed mounting according to the invention.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the mouth piece shown in Figure 5, the mouth piece being disposed with the reed uppermost.

igure 7 is an underside plan view of a saxophone mouth piece with a modified mounting for the reed.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the mouth piece shown in Figure 7.

In carrying the invention into effect in its application, for example, to the mouth piece of a saxophone, and according to the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, we may employ a mouth piece a of usual form, made of vulcanite, wood or other material, recessed on its lower face at a for the reception of a relatively thin mounting plate Z) conveniently,

the cha n. in

for example, of t-h of an inch in thickness and having a width at the front end slightly more than that of the width of the orifice a at the front and bottom of the mouth piece and at the opposite end of a width slightly less. At the front end the mounting plate is forked and at that position the plate is cut away to form an opening generally corresponding to that of the rear part of the mouth piece, while at the front end the forked parts 6 of the mounting plate are conveniently provided with upwardly extending lugs b by which the plate may be hingedly connected to the mouth piece at a position immediately to the rear of the angular or chamfered part a of the lip of the mouth piece, the lugs 6 being disposed on the inner faces of the walls of the mouth piece and being carried by means of transversely disposed pins 6 passing through the respective walls. The bottom of the mouth piece is prepared for the reception of the mounting plate, and so that in the uppermost position of the mounting plate it may lie in contact with the lower face of the mouth piece. The mounting plate may extend rearwardly slightly beyond the neck of the mouth piece and on one side the mounting plate may be provided with an extension or arm 5, and around the neck of the mouth piece a metal ring 0 may be mounted and secured on which a boss 0 may be providedin position coincident with that occupied by the extension or arm 6 on the mounting plate. Co-axial holes may be provided in the respective boss and arm referred to. The hole.

in the boss may extend through it and be screw-threaded for the reception of a screwthreaded pin (Z which is also passed through the hole in the arm 6*, and a spiral spring (Z upon the pin may be interposed between the arm and the boss and advantageously in a sleeve (Z which may serve as a stop to limit the inward movement of the mounting plate. The rear end of the mounting plate may be subject to the action of the spiral spring (Z tending to raise it, while on the rotation of the screw-threaded pin (.7 the rear end of the mounting plate may be positively moved upwards against the resistance of the spiral spring, and thus the most precise angular adjustment of the mounting plate may be effected. The mounting plate in a central position may be provided with parallel oppo- 'sitely disposed in-turned walls adapted to engage the longitudinal edges of the reed, and thus to hold the reed on the mounting plate, or other means may be employed for this purose.

As illustrated in the drawings, the mounting plate is fitted with a bridge piece or strap 6 through which the reed f may pass, and a clamping plate g, by which the reed may be clamped to the mounting plate, is disposed in the strap 6 and is carried by a clamping screw 9 mounted in a screw-threaded hole in the strap 6 and pinned rotatably to the clamping plate 9.

At the end, the mounting plate may be formed with an upstanding lug 6 adapted to carry a screw-threaded pin it having its axis substantially or approximately in line with the reed, and so that the end of the pin may form a stop for the reed and be adapted for moving the reed forward for its adjustment; or the screw-threaded pin referred to may, instead, be provided so that its end may engage in some part adapted to be secured at or near the end of the reed by which rotation of the pin may effect the longitudinal movement of the reed for its adjustment in one direction or the other. For this purpose'there may be provided in the mounting plate, in front of the upstanding lug, alongitudinal slot or groove 6 serving as a slide-way for a slide block or bracket 71 bored in the longitudinal direction of the mounting plate and in line with the screw-threaded pin it for the reception, with clearance, of the end of the said pin, which end is of reduced diameter and screw-threaded to receive a retaining nut k so that, on rotation of the pin, the slide block or bracket 2 is moved longitudinally in one direction or the other. The slide block or bracket 71 is formed with upstanding lugs 2' serving as bearings for a transversely. disposed pivot pin upon which is pivotally mounted an arm j carrying a claw or spike 7' adapted to engage a hole in the rear of the reed, so that the movement of the slide block or bracket 71 may be imparted to the reed.

Means may be provided at the position of commencement of the lay for the reception of some means for sealing, whereby the opening between the mounting plate and mouth piece may be closed to prevent escape of air. Such means may consist of a baffle plate or surface provided upon the mounting plate, adapted to engage a piece of rubber tubing such as is loosely or fixedly set within a groove or recess in the mouth piece, or an elastic layer or rubber or felt loosely set orsecured within a recess.

It will be understooc that any other means than hereinbefore described may be provided to hinge or to apply the mountin plate upon the mouth piece, and any other means than described may be provided to adjust the angle of the mounting plate. Thus, the screwthreaded adjusting pin may be provided at each side of the mouth piece. Any equivalent means may be provided, such as a cam piate or plates, or an eccentric ring or disc, or eccentric rings or discs may be employed, and the adjusting movement may be positively given to the mounting plate, or the operating part may act as a stop against the mounting plate which is constantly subjected to the action of a spring or springs in the manner described. Or again, the adjustment of the mounting plate may be positively effected by the screw-threaded pin, but any other means may be employed for the angular adjustment of the mounting plate without departing from the invention. 7 a

The mounting plate and the mechanism for its adjustment may conveniently be provided of metal, but the mounting plate may be provided of other material.

A transverse groove on the top of the reed near its rear end may be provided for the reception of the finger or thumb nail and for thus facilitating the insertion or withdrawal of the reed, or any other means may be employed for the purpose. Furthermore, the mounting plate may be hinged to the mouth piece in any other position than indicated, or it may be set upon the mounting plate without hinging.

In the application of the invention to clarinet mouth pieces it is necessary to modify to some extent the construction hereinbefore described with reference to a saxophone mouth piece. Thus, according to the construction shown in Figures 5 and 6, in the place of the metal ring 0 provided with a boss 0 for the reception of the adjusting pin (Z, there is provided a bracket Z provided with a boss Z which bracket is let into a recess formed in the surface of the mouth piece to one side in a direction at right angles to the plane forming the bottom of the recess in the mouth piece in which is disposed the mounting plate I). The upstanding lug b on the mounting plate also requires to be extended or disposed outwardly from the mounting plate in order that the pin it for adjusting the reed longitudinally may clear the adjacent part of the instrument. In order to prevent the escape of air through the clearance between the forked end of the mounting plate and the opening in wihch it is seated, there may be provided strips of cork, felt, or

a other suitable material upon the outer faces of the lugs 6 while a similar strip 70 may be provided upon the transverse surface of the mounting plate at the rear end of the orifice of the mouth piece.

An alternative mounting for the mounting plate may be provided whereby the hinge connection of the said plate to the mouth piece may be rendered unnecessary. For this purpose there may be provided exterior to the mouth piece a support or supports to which,

the mounting plate may be hinged or pivoted, the said plate being formed or suitably provided at the pivotal point. Thus, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the lower face of the mouth piece is cut away for the reception of a face plate m, the forward part of which is shaped in conformity with the original formation of the mouth piece to provide the lay or lip and the orifice of the mouth piece, and is also adapted for the pivoting thereto of the mounting plate n. At the rear end, an adjusting screw 0 passes through a screwthreaded hole in the mounting plate and has its extremity engaged in a clearance hole in the face plate m, in which it is advantage ously pinned by such means as a screw pin 12 in the face plate engaging in an annular groove in its lower end. Any desired means may be provided for effecting longitudinal adjustment of the reed upon the mounting plate. Or again, a metal ring, such as that hereinbefore described as provided with the lug for the adjusting pin, may be fitted with two arms adapted to lie longitudinally along the opposite sides of the mouth piece to a position adjacent the forward end thereof and such arms may serve to receive the hinge pins or pivots of the mounting plate which is formed accordingly with lugs or extensions for the reception of the hinge pins or pivots.

Means may be provided to clamp the mouth piece on the neck of the instrument in different positions to modulate pitch. For this purpose a tube may be driven into the mouth piece, the exterior part of which is split and furnished with a clamping screw or the equivalent.

lVe claim:

1. in wind instruments, such as saxophones, clarinets and other wind instruments, in which reeds are used, a mouthpiece, a reed, a mounting plate for the reed separate from but fitted movably upon the mouthpiece, means for adjusting the angular disposition of the mounting plate with reference to the mouthpiece, and means upon the mounting plate for clamping the reed upon the mounting plate in the determined position of adj ustment.

E2. in wind instruments, such as saxophones, Clarinets and other wind instruments, in which reeds are used, a mouthpiece, a reed, a mounting plate for the reed separate from but fitted movably upon the mouthpiece, means for adjusting the angular disposition of the mounting plate with reference to the mouthpiece, a strap carried by the mounting plate and adapted to embrace the reed, a reed clamping plate disposed between the strap and the reed, and means upon the strap for applying the clamping plate with pressure upon the reed.

3. In wind instruments, such as saxophones, clarinets and other wind instruments, in which reeds are used, a mouthpiece, a reed, a mounting plate for the reed separate from but fitted movably upon the mouthpiece, means for adjusting the angular disposition of the mounting plate with reference to the mouthpiece, and means for adjusting the reed longitudinally upon the mouthpiece.

4. In wind instruments, such as saxophones, clarinets and other wind instruments, in which reeds are used, a mouthpiece, a reed, a mounting plate for the reed separate from but fitted movably upon the mouthpiece, means for adjusting the angular disposition of the mounting plate with reference to the mouthpiece, means for adjusting the reed longitudinally upon the mounting plate, and means upon the mounting plate for clamping the reed thereon in the determined position of longitudinal adjustment.

5. In wind instruments, such as saxophones, clarinets and other wind instruments, in which reeds are used, a mouthpiece, a facing'plate upon the said mouthpiece, a reed, a mounting plate for the reed separate from but fitted movably upon the face plate, means for adjusting the angular disposition of the mounting plate with reference to the face plate, and means upon the mounting plate for clamping the reed thereon in the determined position of adjustment.

6. In wind instruments, such as saxophones, clarinets and other wind instruments, in which reeds are used, a mouthpiece, a face plate upon the said mouthpiece, a reed, a mounting plate for the reed separate from but fitted movahly upon the face plate, means for adjusting the angular disposition of the mounting plate with reference to the face plate, means for adjusting the reed longitudinally upon the mounting plate, and means upon the mounting plate for clamping the reed thereon in the determined position of longitudinal adjustment.

7. In wind instruments, such as saxophones, clarinets and other wind instruments, in which reeds are used, a mouthpiece, a reed, a mounting plate for the reed separate from but fitted movably upon the mouthpiece, means for adjusting the angular disposition of the mounting plate with reference torthe mouthpiece, means upon the mounting plate for clamping the reed thereon in the determined position of adjustment, and a sealing device disposed between the mounting plate and the mouthpiece for arresting the passage of air.

, 8. In wind instruments, such as saxophones, clarinetsr and other wind instruments, in which reeds are used, a mouthpiece, a reed, a mounting plate for the reed separate from but movably fitted upon the mouthpiece, means for adjusting the angular disposition of the mounting plate with reference to the mouthpiece, a recess in the mouthpiece adjacent the mouth, and oppositely disposed surface upon the lower face of the mounting plate, and a layer of resilient material disposedwithin the said recess and engaged by the said surface to form a seal against the passage of air. V

9. In wind instruments such as saxophones, clarinets and other wind instruments, in which reeds are used, a mouthpiece, a reed, a mounting plate for the reed separate from but movably fitted upon the mouthpiece for adjustment in angular disposition with reference to the mouthpiece, means upon the mouthpiece for positively adj ustin the position of the mounting plate, and means upon the mounting plate for clamping the reed thereon in the determined position of adj ustment.

' 10. In wind instruments, such as saxophones, clarinets and other wind instruments, in which reeds are used, a mouthpiece, a reed, a mounting plate for the reed separate from but movably fitted upon the mouthpiece for adjustment in angular disposition with reference to the mouthpiece, means upon the mouthpiece for positively adjusting the mounting plate in one direction, and a resilient element opposing the action of the said means and effecting adjustment of the mount- 

